Apparatus for positioning a tool member within well tubing at a desired location



Nov. 14, 1967 J. D. BENNETT 3,352,363

ER WITHIN WELL APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TOOL MEMB TUBING AT A DESIRED LOCATION Filed June 1, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet -l 3,352,363 WELL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. D. BENNETT APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TOOL MEMBER WITHIN TUBING AT A DESIRED LOCATION JOHN D. BENNETT we. 3 mm mm mm my on 1- T K .x a

Nov. 14; 1967 Filed June 1, 1965 Nov. 14, 1967 J. D. BENNETT 3,352,363

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING A TOOL MEMBER WITHIN WELL TUBING AT A DESIRED LOCATION Filed June 1,, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR JOHN D. BENNETT Fl G.6A.

BY -34 1- V I ORNE s ATT . D. BE IONING T 3,352,363 L MEMBE LOCA'HI Nov. 14, 1967 J NNET APPARATUS FOR POSIT A TOO TUBING AT A DESIRED Filed June 1, 1965 R WITHIN WELL 1 ON 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JOHN D. BENNETT M 7 ATTORNEYS United States Patent APPARATUS FOR POSITIIINING A TOOL MEMBER WITHIN WELL TUBING AT A DESIRED LOCA- TION John D. Bennett, Richardson, -Tex., assignor to Sun Oil Company, Philadelphia, Pa, a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 1, 1965, Ser. No. 460,080 13 (:laims. (Cl. 166-214) ABSTRACT OF THE BISCLQSURE A tool hanger for positioning tools used in well drilling and logging operations at a desired location within a drill pipe or well casing, the tool hanger being adapted to be engaged by a running tool as it is lowered and to be positioned at any location in the well tubing, the tool hanger being releasable from the running tool after being set in the desired position.

This invention relates to apparatus of the type known as tool hangers for use in positioning tools, such as those used in well drilling, within a well tubing which may be a drill pipe, a well casing, or the like.

In well drilling and logging operations, tools, such as pressure gauges, logging apparatus or the like, are lowered into the well to a desired depth and are set at this depth to perform the resired operation. In the set position, these tools are supported at the lower end of a tool hanger which is supported by a wire line as the assembly is lowered into the well and engages the well tubing in the set position. The wire line is removed after the tool hanger is set. The tool is retrieved after it has served its purpose.

It is the general object of this invention to provide an improved apparatus of the indicated type which can be positioned at any desired depth and which will be held securely at such depth after the wire line is removed with great reliability.

Prior tool hangers generally require provision of some special collar or recess in the pipe joint of the casing to serve as the means for engaging and arresting the tool hanger and have not been entirely foolproof in that sometimes they are not secured to the well tubing before being released from the wire line. Accordingly, another object of this invention is to provide an interlock arrangement whereby the tool hanger cannot be released from the lowering means until the hanger is secured in supporting engagement with the well tubing.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURES 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a typical physical assembly of the apparatus, FIGURE 13 being a continuation of the right-hand portion of FIGURE 1A and FIGURE 1C being a continuation of the right-hand portion of FIGURE 13 and being turned 90 relative to FIGURES 1A and 1B;

FIGURES 2A and 2B illustrate the apparatus shown in FIGURES 1A, 1B and 1C in the set position, FIG- URE 2B providing a continuation of the right-hand portion of FIGURE 2A;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of a motion transmitting means provided in the apparatus;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are fragmentary views showing a running tool for the apparatus in two different positions;

FIGURES 6A and 6B are axial sectional views of a drill pipe showing the tool holder in the free running and set positions, respectively;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are other views of the running tool;

FIGURE 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of FIG- URE 1A;

FIGURE 10 is a View of a detail;

FIGURE 11 is a section taken on line 11-11 of FIG- URE 10;

FIGURE 1-2 is a right end view of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a section taken on line 1313 of FIG- UR-E 113;

FIGURE 14 is a view of a detail; and

FIGURE 15 is a left end view of FIGURE 14.

The tool hanger, which is shown in its free running position in FIGURES 1A, 1B and 1C and in its set position in FIGURES 2A and 23, comprises, as its basic parts, a running tool 10, a main body 12, a lower body 14, a tool adapter 16, an upper plunger 18, a spring plunger 20, gripping jaws 22, a trigger body 24, a trigger retaining shaft 26, and a cable means 28 (shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 3). In these figures the tool hanger is illustrated in plan views before insertion in the well. It will be evident that in use, the tool hanger extends vertically within the well with the gauge adapter 16 at the bottom and the running tool at the top. The running tool 10 has, at one end, an externally threaded projection 30 adapted for engagement with the wire line which is used to run the tool hanger down the well. In FIGURE 6, there is shown a wire line 32 used to lower the tool hanger and a tool member 34 downwardly through a drill pipe 35.

The running tool 10, which is shown in detail in FIG- URES 7 and 8 has an internal cylindrical bore 40 extending inwardly from an end which is adapted to fit over the upper end of the main body 12 and the upper plunger 18. As best shown in FIGURE 7, the running tool 10 has in its wall a pair of slots each of which has an axially extending portion 44 extending from the lower end of the tool 10 axially upwardly to an apex 46. An angular portion 48 extends downwardly from the apex 46 at an angle to said axially extending portion 44 to a terminal portion 50 to form a socket. The two slots are diametrically opposed and have identical shapes and, as will appear, serve as the means for supporting the weight of the tool hanger and tool member 34 on the tool 10 as the assembly is being run down into the Well.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the upper end of the main body 12 has a diametrically extending pin 52 which projects outwardly at both ends from a reduced diameter portion 54 of body 12. This pin 52 extends into the angular portion 48 of each slot in the running tool 10 and as the tool 10 is being lowered, the pin is in contact with the terminal portion 50, as is best shown in FIG- URE 4. In this manner, the running tool 10 supports the main body portion 12 as the tool hanger is lowered through the well.

The upper end of the main body portion is provided with an axial bore 56 and a pair of diametrically opposed axially extending slots 58 and 60 extending through the reduced diameter portion 54 into communication with the bore 56. The upper plunger 18 is adapted to move axially within this bore 56 and carries a radially extending pin 62 at its lower end. The pin 62 extends outwardly through the slots 58 and 60- in the main body 12 into the axial slotted portions 44 in the running tool 19 when the parts are in the position shown in FIGURES l and 4, the .pin 62 terminating within the outer diameter of the running tool. This pin 62 may be termed the locking pin whereas the pin 52 may be termed the running pin. As shown in FIGURE 9, the pins 52 and 62 are spaced angularly approximately 45 The main body 12 is provided with another axially extending slot 64 which extends transversely through the center of body 12 and is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the slots58 and 60. The slot 64 is adapted to contain the movably mounted gripping mechabody. The slots 68 guide the pivot pin 66 for axial move-- ment. A pair of links 70 are pivoted, at one end, to the main body 12 on pins 71 and, at the other end thereof, are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the jaws 22 by pins 72. A pair of links 74 are pivoted, at one end, to the lower ends of the jaws 22 by pins 76 and, at their other end, are pivotally connected on a pivot pin 78 which is carried by the upper end of the spring plunger 20. By this arrangement the. links provide a pantograph-type mounting for the jaws 22.

The action of the jaws and the links during movement of the gripping means is illustrated by reference to FIG- URES 1A and 2A and will be described more fully hereafter. The outwardly facing portions of the jaws 22 which move into contact with the well tubing during operation are provided with a plurality of small inserts 80 which are soldered in place; The inserts 80 provide the teeth which engage the well tubing, are made of a material having a high hardness, and serve to provide a good gripping action. Of course, other gripping teeth constructions may be used.

The lower end of the main body 12 is provided with a central bore 82 which terminates at a location whereby the bore 82 communicates with the slot 64 containing the gripping mechanism. Mounted for axial movement within the cylindrical bore 82 is the spring plunger which has a cylindrical piston member 84 at its upper end having a transversely extending slot into which the links 74 project for engagement with the pin 78 which is carried by the spring plunger. The spring plunger 20 is guided for an axial movement by reason of the contact between the cylindrical bore 82 and the cylindrical piston 84.

The spring plunger is shown in detail in FIGURES l0, l1 and 12. Extending downwardly from the piston 84 of the spring plunger 20 is a pair of spring fingers or prongs 86. The spring prongs 86 are arranged in a split arrangement with a space therebetween whereby the lower ends thereof may be sprung inwardly by the application of an appropriate force thereto. The lower ends of the prongs 86 are provided with an enlarged portion 88. As shown in FIGURE 12, the prongs 86 are rounded so as to permit movement therebetween of a cylindrical rod. The plunger 20 has an enlarged slot 90 at the upper end of the prongs 86 to provide a better spring action for the prongs 86.

The lower body 14 is threadedly engaged with the lower end of the main body at 92 and is provided with a central, axially extending cylindrical bore 94. At the upper end of this bore there is provided a cavity 96 which is adapted to receive the enlarged ends 88 of the prongs 86 and is shaped to conform to the peripheral shape of the. enlarged ends. The trigger retainer shaft 26 is mounted for movement axially within the central bore 94 in the lower body 14 and within the rounded walls of the prongs 86 of the spring plunger 20.

The lower body comprises a tubular member 98 extending downwardly from the main body for engagement with the gauge adapter 16 by means of the bolt connection shown in FIGURES 1C and 2B. In order to illustrate this bolt connection, FIGURE 1C is turned relative to the parts shown in FIGURES 1A and 113 to show the top view thereof. The central bore 100 of the tubular 4 member 98 is aligned with bore 94 and is adapted to receive the trigger retaining shaft 26 and guide the same for axial movement.

The trigger body 24 is in the form of a ring which is supported on the exterior of tubular member 98 for axial movement thereon and is connected to the lower end of the trigger retaining shaft 26 by means of a transversely extending pin 102 which engages both the shaft 26 and the trigger body 24. The trigger body 24 is provided with six counterbor ed holes 104 extending at an angle with respect to its axis and with rubber fingers 106 which are positioned within the holes 104 and held in position by a retaining ring 108. The rubber fingers 106 extend in an inclined direction relative to thedownward movement. By this arrangement, the rubber fingers 196 serve to center the tool hanger as it is moved down through the well and they are inclined with respect to the downward movement so as to permit such downward movement.

The pin 102 which secures the trigger body 24 on the extension extends through an axially extending slot 110 in the tubular member 98 whereby the trigger body 24 may move axially on the member 98 between the positions shown in FIGURES 1C and 2B as will be described hereafter.

For a purpose to be described more fully hereafter, the spring plunger 20 and the upper plunger 18 are interconnected by a cable 112 which is passed around a pair of sheaves 114 and 116 mounted on rotatable pins 118 secured in the lower body 14. The sheaves are received in parallel slots 120 in body 14 and the pins 118 extend within holes 122 perpendicular to slots 120, the slots 120 and holes 122 being shown in FIGURES l4 and 15. The cable 112 is secured at one end in a cable anchor hole 124 in the upper end of the spring plunger 20 and extends downwardly therefrom around the sheave 114 and upwardly through a hole 126 in the lower end of the upper plunger 18 from which it extends back downwardly around the sheave 116 and upwardly with the other end being secured within the cable anchor hole 128 in the spring plunger. The ends of the cable are secured within the cable anchor holes 124 and 128 by suitable means such as a set screw. It will be apparent that by this arrangement, movement will be transmitted between the plungers 20 and 18 by way of the cable means.

There is provided a main spring 130 which is a coil spring connected in compression between the upper end of the lower body 14 and the bottom side of the piston member 84 of the spring plunger 20 to thereby bias the spring plunger upwardly. Another coil spring 132 is mounted in compression between a shoulder 134 at the upper end of the main body 12 and a shoulder 136 on the upper plunger 18 to thereby bias the plunger 18 upwardly. Accordingly, by reason of their arrangement the springs 130 and 132 bias the two plungers so that the cable will be maintained in a taut condition.

The main spring 130 is constructed to provide a much greater spring force than the upper spring 132 so that this spring 130 will normally control the condition of the.

parts. By reason of the cable connection around the pulleys, an upward movement of the spring plunger 20 under the action of the stronger main spring 130 will cause a downward movement of the upper plunger 132. Moreover, if the spring plunger were moved downwardly by some other force against the bias of the main spring 130, this would result in an upward movement of the upper plunger 18 under the action of the upper spring 132 which acts to maintain the cable 112 in a taut condition.

In operation, when it is desired to lower a tool down the well, the tool is secured to the tool hanger by connection to the adapter 16. The tool hanger is placed in the position as shown in FIGURES 1A, 1B and 1C with the sprmg plunger 20 in the downward position with the enlarged ends 88 of the prongs 86 positioned within the recess 96 in the lower body 14 and the trigger body 24 in the upper position with the retainer shaft 26 extending within the cylindrical space between the resilient prongs 86. The main spring 130 is thus held in its compressed condition and the upper spring 132 biases the upper plunger 18 to its upper position as shown in FIG- URE 1A. The gripping jaws 22 are in their retracted position because of the positioning of the spring plunger 20 whereby such jaws will not interfere with the downward movement of the tool hanger. Moreover, since the trigger retainer shaft 26 is positioned between the prongs 86 of the spring plunger 20, the prongs 86 are kept spread apart and within the recess 96 whereby the spring plunger 20 is held in the lower position against the bias of the main spring 130. This action occurs by reason of the interaction between the enlarged ends 88 and the cavity formed in the lower body 14, which cavity comprises an enlarged recess 96 at the lower end access to which is achieved by movement through a tapered portion 95 and a reduced diameter neck portion 97. With the retainer shaft 26 between the prongs 86 to prevent any inward movement thereof, it will be apparent that the wall of the recess immediately beneath the neck 97 will engage the enlarged ends 88 of the prongs 86 to prevent any upward movement of the spring plunger 28.

In FIGURE 6A, the tool hanger is shown connected to the wire line 32 and in the free running condition. As the assembly is lowered down the well, the tool hanger 10 is supported on the wire line 32 by means of the running tool 10 which supports the main body 12, as well as the other parts carried thereby, by engagement with the running pin 52 which extends within the socket provided by the slotted portions 48. The main body 12 carries, at its lower end, the lower body 14, the member 98, the gauge adapter 16 and the tool 34. It will be noted that the locking or safety pin 62 keeps the running tool 10 from being disengaged from the main body 12 of the tool hanger as the assembly is lowered down the Well as shown in FIGURE 6A. The locking pin 62 is maintained in this position by reason of the spring 132 biasing the upper plunger 18 to its extended position.

It will be noted that as the assembly is lowered down through the well, the rubber fingers 106 on the trigger body 24 slide on and contact the tubing of the well. This tends to hold the trigger retainer shaft 26 in its upper position as shown in FIGURE 6A as well as serving to center the tool hanger within the Well tubing 36. When the tool 34 has been lowered to the desired depth whereat it is to perform its function, the tool hanger is actuated to its set position. When the tool is to be set, the wire line is retracted to thereby raise the running tool 10 upwardly. 'During this movement, the fingers 166 frictionally engage the inner wall of the tubing 36 so that the trigger body 24 does not follow the upward movement of the rest of the tool hanger. Of course, the trigger retainer shaft 26 Will also be held in a stationary position whereby the main body 12 and the lower body 14 of the tool hanger move upwardly relative thereto. A comparison of FIGURES 6A and 6B illustrates the relative movement that occurs between trigger body 24 and the rest of the tool hanger. When the parts reach the relative position shown in FIGURES 2A and 2B, the trigger retaining shaft 26 no longer prevents inward movement of the flexible prongs 86. Accordingly, by reason of the force of the main spring 130, the spring plunger is moved upwardly to the position shown in FIGURES 2A and 2B. During this movement, the enlarged end of the fingers will be cammed inwardly by contact with the walls of the recess 96 and the neck 97 in the lower body 14.

This upward movement of the spring plunger 26 actuates the jaws 22 of the gripping mechanism to the position shown in FIGURE 2A. This movement is eflected by reason of the movement of the pivot 78 for the lower links 74 toward the upper link pivots 71 which are mounted in a fixed axial position on the main body 12.

What actually occurs is that as the plunger 20 moves upwardly, the mounting for the jaws causes a pantograph type of movement thereof.

It will be noted that the gripping mechanism is of the self-energizing type and the links by reason of their crossed arrangement allow for this self-energization. As shown in FIGURE 2A, it will be noted that the well engaging teeth of the jaws 22 provided by the small discs present tooth edges which will tend to resist downward movement of the tool hanger to a greater degree than upward movement. This is to insure that the tool hanger cannot fall downwardly through the well in response to the weight of the mechanism while at the same time permit upward movement of the tool hanger in case there should be some malfunction in the tool hanger means for retracting the gripping jaws when the tool is moved upwardly in a manner to be described hereafter.

The upward movement of the spring plunger 20' eifects another operation within the tool hanger. This relates to the downward movement of the upper plunger 18 with respect to the main body 12 by reason of the cable connection between the spring plunger 20 and the upper plunger 18. Thus, as the spring plunger 20 moves upwardly the cables move around the sheaves 114 and 116 to eifect a downward movement of the upper plunger 18 to the position shown in FIGURE 2A. The upper spring 132 cannot prevent this movement because the main spring 1313 is substantially stronger. With the parts in this position, the locking pin 62 has moved out of the axial slotted portions 44 in the running tool 10. Accordingly, the running tool 10 may now rotate with respect to the main body 12. The running tool 10 is removed from the tool hanger by lowering the wire line 32 and the running tool 10 with the tool hanger in the set position whereby the running tool 10 is cammed rotatably 'by reason of the contact between the running pin 52 and the angular slot at portion 48 to the position wherein the pin 52 is in the apex 46 of each slot and in substantial alignment with the axial slotted portions 44 in the running tool 10'. The wire line is then raised to pull the running tool 10 upwardly whereby the tool will become disengaged because the pin 52 runs through the axial slotted portions 48. The tool hanger is now in the set position and will be held in this position until it is desired to retrieve the tool.

When it is desired to retn'eve the tool, a fishing tool of any suitable type well known in the art is run down the well and is arranged to engage the spearhead 140 formed on the top of upper plunger 18. This fishing tool will be an overshot which grasps the spearhead 140 on the upper end of the plunger 18 to apply a lifting force thereto. This lifting force is initially resisted by the weight of the assembly and the frictional resistance by both the jaws 22 and the rubber fingers 106. However, after a very short movement, the upper plunger 18 will move upwardly with respect to the main body 12 and cause retraction of the jaws 22 by reason of the interconnection with the spring plunger 20. As the upper plunger 18 moves upwardly, the spring plunger 20 will be moved downwardly by reason of the interconnection by Way of the cable 112 around the sheaves. The downward force is sufficient to overcome the spring force of the main spring 130. This is because in the design of the instrument, the spring force of the main spring is made to be slightly less than the Weight of the tool hanger and the tool to be connected thereto to insure the retracting movement discussed above for the gripping means. Moreover, it will be noted that in addition to the weight of the assembly, the frictional force transmitted to the main body 12 by way of the fingers 106 of the trigger body 24, will also serve to add to the force tending to compress the main spring. Of course, the movement of the plungers 18 and 20 will be arrested when the lower ends of the prongs 86 contact the lower wall of the recess 96 in the lower body 14.

It will be noted that when a tool is retracted from the Well, the rubber fingers 106 on the trigger body will actually turn around or bend down to extend downwardly as the mechanism is removed. The rubber fingers are constructed to be flexible enough to permit this movement. It will be noted that if some more rigid arrangement were used for the triggering device, the retracting movement would be prevented or at least substantially impaired.

It will thus be apparent that thetool hanger in accordance with the invention has several advantageous features. First, it will be apparent that the tool hanger can be run into the well and set at any desired depth without the need for a collar or the like within the well.

Another feature is that during retrieval, the gripping mechanism will immediately be set to the extended gripping position if the retrieving line should break. This occurs because the force applied to the cable 112 tending to hold the spring plunger 20 in the downward or retracted position (i.e. the weight of the assembly and the drag provided by the fingers 106 on the tubing wall) would be removed whereby the main spring 130 would immediately actuate the plunger 20 to the upper position shown in FIGURE 2 to thereby move the jaws to the extended or setting position.

Another feature is that the gripping mechanism is of the self-energizing type and does not require any complex manipulation of the tool hanger to effect movement thereof to the gripping position.

Another feature of the invention is the interlock arrangement whereby the running tool 10, and hence the wire line 32 cannnot be removed from interconnection with the main body 12 until the gripping jaws 22 have been actuated to their gripping position and thetool hanger has been properly set in a secure position. This arrangement prevents the removal of the wire line. 32 from the tool hanger before the hanger is set in order to prevent falling of the tool to the bottom of the well. It.

will be apparent that the mechanism described above achieves this function by reason of the cooperation between the locking pin 62 and the running tool as de scribed above. Thus, once the tool has been set where it will support its own load, the lockingpin 62 is pulled down out of the axial slots 44 in the running tool 10 to permit rotation and removal of the running tool as described above. The upper spring 132 serves to keep the locking pin 62 in the axial slots 44 until such time as the tool has been set and the cable 112 pulls the plunger 18 downwardly compressing this upper spring 132.

Another feature of the invention is the fact that the trigger mechanism, which serves to actuate the gripping jaw mechanism as described above, also serves as a centering device to hold the tool member 34 and the tool hanger in the center of the tubing 36. This allows for uniform flow of products around the tool during production which in many cases is performed while the tool is positioned within the well.

Another feature of the invention is that the tool may be set within different diameters of tubing. This will be obvious from a consideration of the pivotal type gripping jaw arrangement as described above.

It will be evident that the features of the invention may be carried out by apparatus other than that disclosed specifically and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited except as required by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at any desired location in elongated tubing within a well comprising a body member having means adapted to support the tool member, a running tool engageable with said body member for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said body member for gripping the internal side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a retracted posi-.

tion in which there is no contact with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages any portion of the internal wall of the well tubing withsuflicient frictional engagement to support the body member and the tool member supported thereon whereby said gripping means is not limited to engagement with collars or recesses at the joints of the well tubing, spring means biasing said gripping means to said extended position thereof and providing the force necessary to produce said frictionalengagement, latch means engageable with said gripping means for holding the same in said. retracted position against the bias thereof, and trigger means for releasing said engagement between said latch means and said grip means in response to movement of the tool hanger in the direction out of the well tubing so that said spring means moves said gripping means to its extended position to set the tool hanger at a location a set distance from where said. outward movement of the tool hanger is performed.

2. A tool hanger according to claim 1 wherein said trigger means includes a trigger body mounted on said body member for movement relative thereto, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially outwardly projecting fingers securely mounted on said trigger body and adapted to contact any portion of the internal wall of the well tubing for frictional engagement therewith during said outward movementof the tool hanger so that the trigger body does not follow said outward movement and moves relative to said main body member, and a trigger retainer member connected to the trigger body for movement therewith and cooperable with said latch means to release the same after a certain amount of relative movement between said trigger body and said main body member.

3. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at a desired location in elongated tubing within a well comprising a body member having means adapted to support the tool member, a runing tool engageable with said body member for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said body member for gripping the side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a retracted position in which there is no contact. with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages the well tubing to support the body member and the tool member supported thereon, spring means biasing said gripping means to said extended position thereof, latch means engageable with said gripping means for holding the same in said retracted position against the bias thereof, and trigger means for releasing said engagement between said latch means and said grip means in response to movement of the tool hanger in the direction out of the well tubing so that said spring means moves said gripping means to its extended position to set the tool hanger at a location in the vicinity where said outward movement of the tool hanger is performed, said trigger means including a trigger body mounted on said body member for movement relative thereto, means mounted on said trigger body and adapted to contact the well tubing for frictional engagement therewith during said outward movement of the tool hanger so that the trigger body does not follow said outward movement and moves relative to said main bodymember, and a trigger retainer member connected to the trigger body for movement therewith and cooperable with said latch means to release the same after a certain amount of relative movement between said trigger body and said main body membensaid latch means including a catch means on said body member and a latch member connected to said gripping means, said latch member having a portion engageable with said catch means and movable out of engagement therewith under the action of said spring means moving the gripping means to the extended position, said trigger retainer member being contactable' with said latch member to hold the same in engagement with said catch means and moving out of contact with 9 said latch member when said trigger body moves relative to said body member said certain amount.

4. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at any desired location in elongated tubing within a Well comprising a main body having means adapted to support the tool member, a running tool engageable with said said main body for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said main body for gripping the internal side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a retracted position in which there is no contact with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages any portion of the internal wall of the well tubing with sufficient frictional engagement to support the main body and the tool member supported thereon whereby said gripping means is not limited to engagement with collars or recesses at the joints of the well tubing, said gripping means including a movably mounted member for actuating said gripping means between said positions thereof, spring means biasing said actuating member to urge said gripping means to said extended position thereof and providing the force necessary to produce said frictional engagement, latching means including a catch on said main body and a latch member on said actuating member engageable with said catch to hold said actuating member and the gripping means in the retracted position against the bias of the spring means, trigger means holding said latch member in engagement with said catch in a first position thereof and movable to a second position for releasing said engagement between said latch member and said catch in response to movement of the tool hanger in the direction out of the well tubing whereby said spring means moves said gripping means to its extended position to position the tool hanger within the well tubing at a location a set distance from where said outward movement of the tool hanger is performed.

5. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at a desired location in elongated tubing within a well comprising a body member having means adapted to support the tool member, a running tool engageable with said body member for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said body member for gripping the side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a retracted position in which there is no contact with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages the well tubing to support the body member and the tool member supported thereon, said gripping means including a movably mounted member for actuating said gripping means between said positions thereof, spring means biasing said actuating member to urge said gripping means to said extended position thereof, means defining a recess in said main body having a neck and an enlarged portion, a flexible prong extending from said actuating member and having an enlarged end adapted to be received in said recess, a retainer member contacting said prong to hold the enlarged end within said recess to prevent movement of said prong and said actuating member under the action of said spring means, trigger means for releasing said prong from said recess including a trigger body mounted on said body member for movement relative thereto, means mounted on said trigger body and adapted to contact the well tubing for frictional engagement therewith in response to movement of the tool hanger out of the well tubing so that the trigger body does not follow said outward movement and moves relative to said main body, said retainer member being connected to said trigger body for movement therewith to a position out of contact with said prong whereby said spring means moves the actuating member to the extended position during which movement said prong moves out of said recess.

6. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at a desired location in elongate-d tubing within a well comprising a body member having means adapted to support the tool member, a running tool engageable with said main body member for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said body member for gripping the side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a retracted position in which there is not contact with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages the well tubing to support the body member and the tool member supported thereon, and spring biased means for actuating said gripping means to its extended position when the tool holder has been lowered to the desired location, said gripping means including a pair of gripping jaws extending transversely through a central opening in said main body and being pivotally mounted together at a central location in crossed relationship, pivotal links being secured to the ends of said jaws to provide a pantograph-type mounting therefor.

7. A tool hanger according to claim 6 wherein said pivotal links on a pair of opposed ends of said jaws are pivotally connected to said actuating means, and the pivotal links mounted to the other opposed ends of said jaws are pivotally mounted on said body member.

8. A tool hanger according to claim 7 wherein teeth are provided on the ends of said jaws for movement to contact with the wall tubing for frictionally engaging the same, said teeth projecting downwardly so that they provide substantially more resistance to movement of the tool downwardly as compared with movement upwardly.

9. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at any desired location in elongated tubing within a well comprising a main body having means adapted to support the tool member, a running tool removably engageable with said main body for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said body member for gripping the internal side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a re tracted position in which there is no contact with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages any portion of the internal wall of the well tubing with sufiicient frictional engagement to support the main body and the tool member supported thereon whereby said gripping means is not limited to engagement with collars or recesses at the joints of the well tubing, spring means biasing said gripping means to said extended position thereof and providing the force necessary to produce said frictional engagement, latch means engageable with said gripping means for holding the same in said retracted position against the bias thereof, trigger means for releasing said engagement between said latch means and said gripping means in response to movement of the tool hanger in the direction out of the well tubing so that said spring means moves said gripping means to its extended position to set the tool hanger at a location a set distance from where said outward movement of the tool hanger is performed, and interlock means operatively conneeted between said gripping means and said running tool to prevent removal of said running tool from engagement with said main body until said gripping means has been moved to the extended position.

10. A tool hanger for positioning a tool member at a desired location in elongated tubing within a well comprising a main body member having means adapted to support the tool member, a running tool engageable with said main body member for supporting the same as the tool hanger is run down the well, means carried by said body member for gripping the side wall of the well tubing, said gripping means being movable between a retracted position in which there is no contact with the well tubing and an extended position in which the gripping means frictionally engages the well tubing to support the body member and the tool member supported thereon, means for actuating said gripping means from said retracted to said extended position, said running tool being movable out of engagement with said main body for releasing the tool holder within the well, and interlock means operatively connected between said gripping means actuating means and said running tool to prevent disengagement of said running tool from said main body until said actuating means has moved the gripping means to its extended position, said interlock means comprising a locking means mounted for movement on said main body member, said running tool having a slot therein, said locking means having a member positioned within said slot in said running tool for locking the same against releasing movement thereof, means biasing said locking means to a locking position in which said member is positioned within said slot when said actuating means is in the retracted position, means interconnecting said locking means and said actuating meansfor transmitting movement therebetween, said movement of said actuated means to said extended position being transmitted to said locking means by said interconnecting means to move said locking means to a releasing position in which said locking member is out of said slot in said running tool.

11. A tool hanger according to claim wherein said interconnecting means comprises a cable connected at its ends to said actuating means and said blocking means.

12. A tool hanger according to claim 10 wherein said running tool has a slot therein having an axial portion extending upwardly from the lower end thereof joined with a portion extending at an angle downwardly from an upper portion of said axial portion, a pin mounted on said main body extending into said angular portion of said slot to be engaged by said running tool for supporting the main body, said locking member extending within 12 said axial portion of said slot to preventrotatable movement of said running tool and maintain engagement between said running tool and said main body, said running 1 tool being rotatable when said locking member is out of said slot and releasable from said main body by movement of said pin through said angular and axial portions of said slot.

13. A tool hanger according to claim 10 whereinsaid locking means is adapted to be engaged by a fishing tool for removing the tool hanger from the tool hanging, said locking member being movable upwardly in response to the application of an upward force thereto by said fishing tool, said upward movement of said locking means being transmitted to said actuating means by Way of said interconnecting means to move said actuating means and said gripping means to a retracted position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,217,986 10/1940 Knox 166-125 2,739,653 3/1956 Haines 166-136 2,832,418 4/1958 Baker 166136 2,948,339 8/1960 Fredd 166216 X 3,002,562 10/1961 Carothers 166*125 3,054,454 9/1962 Evans 166-131 3,100,533 8/1963 Fredd 166181 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

JAMES A. LEPPINK, Examiner. 

1. A TOOL HANGER FOR POSITIONING A TOOL MEMBER AT ANY DESIRED LOCATION IN ELONGATED TUBING WITHIN A WELL COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER HAVING MEANS ADAPTED TO SUPPORT THE TOOL MEMBER, A RUNNING TOOL ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID BODY MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME AS THE TOOL HANGER IS RUN DOWN THE WELL, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BODY MEMBER FOR GRIPPING THE INTERNAL SIDE WALL OF THE WELL TUBING, SAID GRIPPING MEANS BEING MOVABLE BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION IN WHICH THERE IS NO CONTACT WITH THE WELL TUBING AND AN EXTENDED POSITION IN WHICH THE GRIPPING MEANS FRICTIONALY ENGAGES ANY PORTION OF THE INTERNAL WALL OF THE WELL TUBING WITH SUFFICIENT FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT TO SUPPORT THE BODY MEMBER AND THE TOOL MEMBER SUPPORTED THEREON WHEREBY SAID GRIPPING MEANS IS NOT LIMITED TO ENGAGEMENT WITH COLLARS OR RECESSES AT THE JOINTS OF THE WELL TUBING, SPRING MEANS BIASING SAID GRIPPING MEANS TO SAID EXTENDED POSITION THEREOF AND PROVIDING THE FORCE NECESSARY TO PRODUCE SAID FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT, LATCH MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID GRIPPING MEANS FOR HOLDING THE SAME IN SAID RETRACTED POSITION AGAINST THE BIAS THEREOF, AND TRIGGER MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SAID LATCH MEANS AND SAID GRIP MEANS IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE TOOL HANGER IN THE DIRECTION OUT OF THE WELL TUBING SO THAT SAID SPRING MEANS MOVES SAID GRIPPING MEANS TO ITS EXTENDED POSITION TO SET THE TOOL HANGER AT A LOCATION A SET DISTANCE FROM WHERE SAID OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE TOOL HANGER IS PERFORMED. 